Jetpack Distribution has acquired the rights for two 2D animated shows from Paris-based animation studio Samka: Viking Skool and Once Upon a Time…Objects. The new pickups join Jetpack’s brand-new line-up for series ready to hit the market at MIP Junior and MIPCOM in Cannes this October.
The deal sees Jetpack acquire the worldwide rights (excluding France) for 26 x 22′ episodes of 2D comedy animation Viking Skool and 78 x 7′ episodes of 2D edutainment animated series Once Upon a Time…Objects, both targeting six- to 10-year-old viewers.
“At Jetpack we have been ramping up our acquisitions even further, discovering more stand-out shows that really speak to the current needs of the global market. And those we’ll be rolling out for MIPCOM,” said Dominic Gardiner, CEO of Jetpack. “Viking Skool and Once Upon a Time…Objects are two brilliant additions that demonstrate what we’re all about as a business. With incredible and impressive creative leadership from Samka, Cartoon Saloon and Procidis, we are proud to bring these to the market.”
Viking Skool is a co-production between Samka and Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon. A comedy series packed with action and adventure, the show is set at a “Viking Skool” that trains the very best to be future Viking leaders.
Ylva, Erik and Arni are three friends brought together at the skool, although any of them becoming a Viking is a long shot! Bound together by their outlier status, their friendship grows as they meet various challenges. The three unlikely heroes show what a true Viking heart and soul looks like and that bravery, while not easy, is necessary. And that loyalty is important, but honesty more so, and that friendship is the glue that gets us through life!
Viking Skool is due to air on Disney Channels and Disney+ across EMEA and on FranceTV in France.
Once Upon a Time…Objects is a comedy edutainment co-production between Samka and Procidis, the creators of the original IP (Once Upon a Time…). It is currently in development. The series is due to air in France on FranceTV, Israel on HOT, in Switzerland on RTS and in globally on TV5MONDE.
The lead protagonist is Maestro, an animated hero who first appeared on French TV screens in 1978. After seven series that are still on air, now restored in HD, and with an expansive line of educational play products, he returns with a new series. Here children discover everyday objects, such as a football, a fork or a mirror, and Maestro tells them fascinating and often hilarious stories behind each one.
Once Upon a Time…Objects is full of anecdotes and historical characters and blends a wealth of precise scientific information with the humorous tone that determined the success of the original series.
More than 200 million Once Upon a Time… books have been sold as well as 120 million DVDs worldwide.
